Haberler
28.07.2026
The Festival Opening Ceremony Witnessed Magnificent Moments
The official opening ceremony of the 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, organised in cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Büyükçekmece Municipality and selected as the "World's Best Culture and Art Festival" for 12 consecutive times by international evaluation organisations, witnessed magnificent moments where cultures and art came together.
During the opening ceremony, the Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Nuri Aslan, read the letter of the Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, while Tarık Erdoğan, CHP Group Deputy Chairman of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Büyükçekmece Municipality Councils, read the letter of the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün. Thousands of people filling the festival venue applauded the mayors' messages for a long time.
Festival Excitement Experienced with Strong Participation
The ceremony, held at the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre, was attended by Istanbul Member of Parliament Özgür Karabat, Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi and his wife Nalan Çebi, 24th Term Member of Parliament Süleyman Çelebi, Co-President of FIDAF and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, wife of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Hatice Akgün, wife of Dr. Hasan Akgün, mayors, municipal council members, and many local and international guests.
The Voice of Love and Peace Spread from Büyükçekmece to the World
The official opening ceremony began with the parade march of the participating countries through the town centre. Afterwards, the traditional Garden of Love was once again created at Büyükçekmece Kültürpark. With the plaques representing different countries being nailed onto the Peace Log, the bonds of friendship, fraternity and peace among the cultures of the world were strengthened once again. Following the performance of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mehter Band, the culture and art ambassadors of 62 countries gathered on the Path of Love in their traditional costumes, waving their national flags and delivering the message "Love to Each Other, Peace for All!" to the whole world. The performances staged on the platforms built on Büyükçekmece Lake received great appreciation. The special performances, combining the energy of modern dance with the cultural richness of traditional dances, provided unforgettable moments for the audience. The combination of colourful stage choreographies, magnificent illuminated water shows and dance performances brought the festival atmosphere to its peak.
The Festival Torch Was Lit for the 27th Time
The flags of 62 countries came together on the same stage accompanied by messages of friendship and fraternity. Representatives from Spain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Dagestan, Ecuador, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria and Türkiye, participating in the festival, came together on stage carrying their national flags and presented a magnificent cultural celebration where colours and cultures met through dance. Their joint dance performance, accompanied by the traditional melodies of Türkiye, received prolonged applause from the audience. Following the performance, the festival torch symbolising the official opening of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival was lit for the 27th time by Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi and his wife Nalan Çebi, Co-President of FIDAF and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, Dilek İmamoğlu and Hatice Akgün.
Nuri Aslan: "One of the Largest Festivals Hosted by Our Istanbul"
Speaking at the festival opening ceremony, the Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Nuri Aslan, emphasised the contributions of Dr. Hasan Akgün and Ekrem İmamoğlu to the festival and said:
"The International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, where we have come together today, is one of the largest and longest-established international festivals hosted by our Istanbul. When this festival was first organised 27 years ago, I was here together with my President Hasan. For the past two years, we have been celebrating this festival without President Hasan and President Ekrem. I was always by the side of President Ekrem during the launch of this festival, and I was also together with President Hasan. They are not here today, but let no one doubt that their spirits and their minds are here. Unfortunately, neither of them is with us today because of injustice and unlawfulness, but we will never, ever lose hope. We will never fall into despair. From here, I send my heartfelt greetings to President Ekrem, President Hasan Akgün, and all our mayors and companions who have been unjustly and unlawfully imprisoned. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this festival."
"Dr. Hasan Akgün's Vision Has Been Bringing Cultures Together for 27 Years"
The Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Hakan Çebi, thanked everyone who contributed to and supported the success of the festival, especially the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, and the Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and said:
"Today, I am very pleased to be together with you at the opening of our 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival with the call rising from Büyükçekmece for the 27th time: 'Love to Each Other, Peace for All!' Our festival, which began in 2000 with the vision and determination of our Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, the architect of this great journey, is today among the world's most respected culture and art organisations. For 27 years, our festival has continued to represent our country successfully on the international stage as the only festival in the World Festivals Association A Category that brings different cultures together under one roof. Being honoured 12 consecutive times with the 'World's Best Festival' award by CIOFF and FIDAF, international organisations affiliated with UNESCO, is one of the strongest indicators of this success and its international prestige. This year, we are once again honoured to host culture and art representatives from all around the world in Büyükçekmece. Throughout our festival, we will share the colours, traditions and common values of the world together through events that keep alive the universal values of art and cultural heritage."
"I Wholeheartedly Believe That Our Festival Will Continue to Be the Voice of Peace, Friendship and Fraternity"
Tarık Erdoğan, CHP Group Deputy Chairman of the Büyükçekmece Municipal Council, read the letter sent by the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, from Silivri Marmara Prison. In his letter, Mayor Akgün thanked all the countries participating in the festival and everyone who contributed, stating:
"As you know, as a mayor elected by the will of the people, I am currently being held in Silivri solely because of a different political preference. Therefore, I deeply regret that I cannot share the same enthusiasm with you this year at the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which we have built together through great effort and which has today reached a respected position worldwide. I entrust this great gathering of culture and art, the culture and art ambassadors from 62 different countries who have come to our district, and the youth of the world to you, and I wholeheartedly believe that our festival will continue to be the voice of peace, friendship and fraternity. I also have full confidence that you will demonstrate Turkish hospitality to all our guests in the best possible way. On brighter, fairer and freer days, we will once again gather in this same square at the 28th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival and experience the joy of peace, friendship and fraternity together with even greater excitement."
During the opening ceremony, the Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Nuri Aslan, read the letter of the Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, while Tarık Erdoğan, CHP Group Deputy Chairman of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Büyükçekmece Municipality Councils, read the letter of the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün. Thousands of people filling the festival venue applauded the mayors' messages for a long time.
Festival Excitement Experienced with Strong Participation
The ceremony, held at the Kültürpark Kemal Sunal Amphitheatre, was attended by Istanbul Member of Parliament Özgür Karabat, Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi and his wife Nalan Çebi, 24th Term Member of Parliament Süleyman Çelebi, Co-President of FIDAF and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, Dilek Kaya İmamoğlu, wife of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Hatice Akgün, wife of Dr. Hasan Akgün, mayors, municipal council members, and many local and international guests.
The Voice of Love and Peace Spread from Büyükçekmece to the World
The official opening ceremony began with the parade march of the participating countries through the town centre. Afterwards, the traditional Garden of Love was once again created at Büyükçekmece Kültürpark. With the plaques representing different countries being nailed onto the Peace Log, the bonds of friendship, fraternity and peace among the cultures of the world were strengthened once again. Following the performance of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mehter Band, the culture and art ambassadors of 62 countries gathered on the Path of Love in their traditional costumes, waving their national flags and delivering the message "Love to Each Other, Peace for All!" to the whole world. The performances staged on the platforms built on Büyükçekmece Lake received great appreciation. The special performances, combining the energy of modern dance with the cultural richness of traditional dances, provided unforgettable moments for the audience. The combination of colourful stage choreographies, magnificent illuminated water shows and dance performances brought the festival atmosphere to its peak.
The Festival Torch Was Lit for the 27th Time
The flags of 62 countries came together on the same stage accompanied by messages of friendship and fraternity. Representatives from Spain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Dagestan, Ecuador, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria and Türkiye, participating in the festival, came together on stage carrying their national flags and presented a magnificent cultural celebration where colours and cultures met through dance. Their joint dance performance, accompanied by the traditional melodies of Türkiye, received prolonged applause from the audience. Following the performance, the festival torch symbolising the official opening of the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival was lit for the 27th time by Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece Hakan Çebi and his wife Nalan Çebi, Co-President of FIDAF and Vice Chairman of the Festival Committee H. Gürhan Ozanoğlu, Dilek İmamoğlu and Hatice Akgün.
Nuri Aslan: "One of the Largest Festivals Hosted by Our Istanbul"
Speaking at the festival opening ceremony, the Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Nuri Aslan, emphasised the contributions of Dr. Hasan Akgün and Ekrem İmamoğlu to the festival and said:
"The International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, where we have come together today, is one of the largest and longest-established international festivals hosted by our Istanbul. When this festival was first organised 27 years ago, I was here together with my President Hasan. For the past two years, we have been celebrating this festival without President Hasan and President Ekrem. I was always by the side of President Ekrem during the launch of this festival, and I was also together with President Hasan. They are not here today, but let no one doubt that their spirits and their minds are here. Unfortunately, neither of them is with us today because of injustice and unlawfulness, but we will never, ever lose hope. We will never fall into despair. From here, I send my heartfelt greetings to President Ekrem, President Hasan Akgün, and all our mayors and companions who have been unjustly and unlawfully imprisoned. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this festival."
"Dr. Hasan Akgün's Vision Has Been Bringing Cultures Together for 27 Years"
The Acting Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Hakan Çebi, thanked everyone who contributed to and supported the success of the festival, especially the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, and the Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ekrem İmamoğlu, and said:
"Today, I am very pleased to be together with you at the opening of our 27th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival with the call rising from Büyükçekmece for the 27th time: 'Love to Each Other, Peace for All!' Our festival, which began in 2000 with the vision and determination of our Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, the architect of this great journey, is today among the world's most respected culture and art organisations. For 27 years, our festival has continued to represent our country successfully on the international stage as the only festival in the World Festivals Association A Category that brings different cultures together under one roof. Being honoured 12 consecutive times with the 'World's Best Festival' award by CIOFF and FIDAF, international organisations affiliated with UNESCO, is one of the strongest indicators of this success and its international prestige. This year, we are once again honoured to host culture and art representatives from all around the world in Büyükçekmece. Throughout our festival, we will share the colours, traditions and common values of the world together through events that keep alive the universal values of art and cultural heritage."
"I Wholeheartedly Believe That Our Festival Will Continue to Be the Voice of Peace, Friendship and Fraternity"
Tarık Erdoğan, CHP Group Deputy Chairman of the Büyükçekmece Municipal Council, read the letter sent by the Mayor of Büyükçekmece, Dr. Hasan Akgün, from Silivri Marmara Prison. In his letter, Mayor Akgün thanked all the countries participating in the festival and everyone who contributed, stating:
"As you know, as a mayor elected by the will of the people, I am currently being held in Silivri solely because of a different political preference. Therefore, I deeply regret that I cannot share the same enthusiasm with you this year at the International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival, which we have built together through great effort and which has today reached a respected position worldwide. I entrust this great gathering of culture and art, the culture and art ambassadors from 62 different countries who have come to our district, and the youth of the world to you, and I wholeheartedly believe that our festival will continue to be the voice of peace, friendship and fraternity. I also have full confidence that you will demonstrate Turkish hospitality to all our guests in the best possible way. On brighter, fairer and freer days, we will once again gather in this same square at the 28th International Istanbul Büyükçekmece Culture and Art Festival and experience the joy of peace, friendship and fraternity together with even greater excitement."